nature Study, Trees, Newburgh, New York 

Asher Brown Durand’s "Nature Study, Trees, Newburgh, New York" is made with oil paints, applied with brushes to a canvas support. Durand used his materials to create a detailed study of trees and foliage. Look closely and you’ll notice the rich variety of greens, capturing the texture of the bark, needles and leaves. The layering of paint creates depth and dimension, giving the trees a lifelike presence. The artist's skill in blending and layering helps to evoke the way light filters through the leaves. Durand's meticulous attention to the natural world shows his respect for craft, and his interest in the American landscape. Rather than dramatic landscape vistas, this intimate study of trees reminds us to appreciate the artistry found in the everyday. His deep engagement with his materials and the environment challenges traditional notions of what constitutes ‘high art’.